The stargates were massive marvels suspended in space that even I had a difficult time comprehending. An ancient technology, the oldest identified in the universe, powered the colossal rings and acted as the entrance to the intergalactic interstate so to speak.

It was astounding and yet disjointed as fuck all at the same time.

My familiarity with the ancient technologies was admittedly limited, but that hadn't stopped me from digging further into it. It could very well be the reason I was in such hot water. Scratch that, it was the precise reason I happen to be running, yet again, from an alien race that wanted nothing more than to sever my head from my neck. The technology had been hidden away by the Yeamerinians from the vast number of alien races that shared our cosmos. The fact that I took whatever information I pleased must have made their blood boil. Mine would rival lava if I were on their end of the equation.

As we idled in front of the gate, Nix dealt with our passage paperwork. To my amazement, we made it through the check-in without so much as a word from Isaac and minimal hassle from the gate sentinels. You highjack a gate one time and suddenly you're a terrorist.

Before we hit our top speed Nix began to sing to herself in a hushed tone, as if Issac would hear her from whichever room he had disappeared to within the Lawless.

"Starships, were meant to fly i-i-i hands up and touch the sky-i-i-i "

I preferred when Nix was in the pilot seat. Not only was I safer but the bay felt a hell of a lot friendlier in the absence of a certain hardass who could never relax. This was a classic instance to back up my standpoint. I threw a glance over at Nix whose eyes had already drifted over to where I sat. When our laughter started I couldn't tell you, it seemed to be simultaneous between the two of us.

"There is entirely too much giggling happening on this deck," Isaac grunted, his boots clunking against the metal flooring as he rejoined us.

I caught Nix as she added a dramatic eye roll to her expression before righting myself to stare out the front pane. Stomping, grumbling, and a generally terrible mood. Looked like whoever he contacted didn't have stupendous news for him. My fucking luck.

"The Intergalactic Beurocracy isn't happy about what you did."

I scoffed, not too interested in what the MIB has to say about my current activities. "No surprise there. I tend to piss them off more than I please them."

"This isn't a laughing matter Logan!" Issac snapped back causing me to recoil ever so slightly, and not because he hurt my fragile teen feelings. Isaac was the pillar of self-control and restraint. This was the first time he's lashed out with even a fraction of anger in his voice, which meant the shit I'd gotten myself into had to be of the toxic variety.

An eerie silence settled in the hollow space. For once I kept my insensitive thoughts to myself and Issac's fury must have rendered Nix speechless. That or she'd experienced this mood of his before and knew to stay quiet. I watched Issac's reflection in the front glass as he brought his forefinger and thumb to the bridge of his nose. In a way, it gave me a sick sort of pleasure to see him in this agitated state. Poetic somehow.

"The job you did wasn't for anyone, not that I'd expect you to know that."

With that single strand of words my last straw blew away in the icy winds he fired my way. My chair groaned as I spun it around so that we now faced one another and cocked an eyebrow towards the ceiling at him. I wanted to launch into a tirade on the extensive background investigation I conduct on my clients but I bit my tongue instead. Twenty-seven hours. That's how long I had to endure his patronizing lectures before it was audios amigo. I would have to be an utter noob to show my hand, especially to him. That wasn't about to happen.

"Then why don't you enlighten me."

Issac dropped his hand along with a heavy stare that landed on me. "The party who hired you was banished for attempting to obtain the information you willingly retrieved for them, information the Yaemerani government has killed for in the past to keep concealed."

Another scoff left my lips against my will. Willingly, was a relative term considering the payout for that gig had been quite handsome. Once again I didn't want to offer up all the details of my transaction. Knowing Issac, if he knew the number of credits I had, he's no doubt make me pay travel and board costs.

"That's an unfortunate turn of events," I mutter with a soft smirk.

Our stare sizzled as we both glowered at the other. I had no intention of groveling at his feet for a mistake anyone could have made. It didn't matter that I wasn't just anyone or that I currently harbored enough unrest about the situation already. No one but I could be my judge and jury.

His dark chocolate orbs closed as he pinched his snout once more. "Did you at least keep a copy of the documents for your personal records?"

My lips spread into a thin upward curve. "Ah, so you do know me, uncle."

"Unfortunately, I do, which means I know exactly how you'll react when I tell you I'm going to need them."

"Not going to happen," I snapped at him crossing my arms defensively across my abdomen. The pit that formed in my stomach warned me I wasn't going to like the direction this headed in.

Issac let out a heavy sigh, his fingers brushed through his thick head of greying mahogany hair, a sign he undoubtedly accomplished something he wasn't proud of. "My asking was a formality. They should have already been retrieved from your server."

That mother fucker...

I shot to my feet, my mouth agape in pure shock. It was stupid and highly ignorant to believe my personal server was impenetrable. I may be cocky when it came to my trade but I wasn't stupid. Apparently neither was Issac or so he thought. A sly smile crept onto my face as I decided to take my leave from the deck. My sneakers stopped parallel to Issac as I reached up and patted his shoulder gingerly.

"Let me know if you need help with the virus," I offered before my feet resumed their trek towards the third floor of the ship. Only twenty-six more hours.

words - 1118
total words - 3695
written - 02/24/2020
last edited - 05/04/2020